To dedicate oneself to betting on EV games - looking for that to be a source of income is to shoot oneself in the foot.
$1000 could be enough to start a successful business but it depends on the kind or the size. The businessman might decide to start an online business instead of renting a physical shop. Some persons might have a business space in their homes which could serve as the business place until the business expands. Some persons might also decide to rent small stalls instead of a big shop.
Of course, $1K is potentially going to have a higher return if invested in a business than betting in a casino against House Edge games. The best thing he could have done is to start out in business, and when it worked for him, with any extra money he had, he could have gone to the casino to entertain himself but not looking for it to be a source of income for him. The best way for a casino to be your source of income is to set up your own casino, be The House yourself.